Santa Catalina Island

CaptionSanta Catalina Island

Jane Engle / Los Angeles Times

From the hills, the harbor at Avalon on Santa Catalina Island spreads out below, with the Casino Ballroom in the distance at right. Come winter, when tourism plummets to a fraction of its fair-weather numbers, Catalina becomes something of a secret getaway.

From the hills, the harbor at Avalon on Santa Catalina Island spreads out below, with the Casino Ballroom in the distance at right. Come winter, when tourism plummets to a fraction of its fair-weather numbers, Catalina becomes something of a secret getaway. (Jane Engle / Los Angeles Times)

Have time to spare? A few schooners still serve Catalina, including the Dirigo II. The trips leisurely  about five hours to reach the island. With a decent wind, the schooner will make it back to the mainland in four.

Have time to spare? A few schooners still serve Catalina, including the Dirigo II. The trips leisurely  about five hours to reach the island. With a decent wind, the schooner will make it back to the mainland in four. (Linda DeLay Joseph)